After the damage caused to the farming, fishing, and salt-making sectors by unseasonal rains during the last few days, there is a demand for compensation from the government.
The unexpected weather events have caused extensive damage to mango orchards, disrupted dry fish production, and adversely affected salt manufacturing operations, particularly in the, Mumbai, Konkan and coastal regions, citizens' group, The Watchdog Foundation, said.
Mango growers, especially those cultivating the Alphonso variety in the Konkan region and Dharavi Beth (Manori-Uttan), and Raigad, have suffered significant losses. Unseasonal rains in May have led to premature flowering and fruit drop, drastically reducing the expected yield. Reports indicate that this year’s production may be limited to just 20% of the normal output. This not only affects the livelihoods of farmers but also impacts the state's economy and export potential, the group said.
The coastal communities engaged in dry fish production have been equally affected. The unexpected rains during the drying season have spoiled large quantities of fish laid out for drying, leading to substantial financial losses for these communities who rely heavily on this seasonal activity for their sustenance. The affected areas include Palghar, Satpati, Uttan, Manori, and Madh, said advocate Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation.
Salt pans have been inundated due to the unseasonal downpours. The accumulation of rainwater has disrupted the evaporation process essential for salt production, leading to decreased output and financial strain on salt workers and producers.
Watchdog Foundation has asked the government to conduct surveys (panchnamas) to assess the extent of damage to mango orchards, dry fish stocks, and salt pans and provide adequate compensation to affected farmers and producers.
